Lone Dads' Group Vows To Flex Its Political Muscles
Illawarra Mercury
Monday February 20, 2006
SOLE fathers are taking their fight for more equitable custody resolutions all the way to Parliament House.
A new political party is being set up in the Illawarra, as a push to reform Australia's child support system gathers momentum.Fathers' groups want to overhaul how child support payments are assessed and make both parents equally responsible for their children.However, they will have to wait to receive more support from Canberra, with the Howard Government announcing this month that promised changes to child custody won't be implemented until after the next federal election.Spokesmen for non-custodial parents say the delay will lead to continued financial and emotional hardship for lone fathers, as well as an increasing number of suicides.Two Illawarra dads, Troy Delblanco and Bob Patrech, have had enough.Fed up waiting for changes to the child support system, the duo resolved to establish their own political organisation.Based in Unanderra, the Fair Divorce Party seeks to balance the rights and responsibilities of raising children equally between separated parents.The group hopes to field at least one candidate at the next federal election in a bid to improve the lot of single fathers."We've spoken to a number of politicians about how unfair the current set-up is and, even though many agree with us, nothing is getting done," Mr Patrech said. "We feel the only way to get things done is by having a voice in Canberra."The driving force behind the new party is a firm belief non-custodial fathers in Australia are being financially and emotionally crippled by the Child Support Agency and the Family Court."The way things are run now simply isn't fair, with too many men having to pay more than they can afford and having less access to their kids," Mr Patrech said. "Fathers and mothers have to be assessed equally - that is all we want."He said the child support system allowed vindictive parents to "get back" at former partners."There are so many false allegations of violence towards children. Surely this has to be stopped," he said."A more amicable relationship between former partners has to be best for kids as well."Fair Divorce secretary Mr Delblanco said the fledgling group was well on the way to signing the 500 members required to become a registered party.And it is not just targeting disgruntled single fathers."There are so many people affected by separation," he said. "Grandparents, new partners, other family members and, of course, children."We want to improve the situation for everyone because at the moment it is a disgrace."The Fair Divorce Party isn't the first political organisation fighting for reform of the Child Support Agency and child support legislation.Non-Custodial Parents Party candidate John Flanagan, from Thirroul, welcomed the new group, and said he would be happy to offer any advice."Obviously they are an independent body and have their own agenda," he said.
© 2006 Illawarra Mercury